Theodosia, Haley, and Drayton are excited to host a Firefly Tea at the Tangled B&B. The fireflies create a majestic atmosphere amongst the cherry and azalea trees. It’s been a perfect evening so far, and the final course is a flambéed dessert, but when a guest chokes violently, and Theodosia takes off after an unknown waiter, chaos ensues in Laura Child’s 30th installment in her best-selling Tea Shop Mystery Series, DEATH AT A FIREFLY TEA.

The choking guest, Olivia Van Courtland, dies, and poisoning by fentanyl is the suspected method delivered by someone posing as a waiter. After Theodosia catches up to the fleeing suspect, he threatens her with a butane torch, causing her to retreat. Now, Theodosia wants answers. The victim, Olivia Van Courtland, was worth a small fortune, including the value of her home in Charleston. Who killed the charitable woman? Could it have been her only son, Brody, or his greedy ex-wife? A real estate developer interested in Olivia’s home, or the financially strapped housekeeper with medical bills? Or the least likely suspects, the young men and women Olivia helped at the Honey Badger House? Who wanted her dead? As Theodosia starts investigating, she endures a flash-bang scare, an attack on Drayton, a kidnapping, a toxic cookie poisoning, a ransom demand, a burning house, and a trip into the swamp- surrounded ruins to catch a killer.

DEATH AT A FIREFLY TEA is the latest in the long-running Tea Shop Mystery series and ramps up the ambiance and atmosphere, treating readers to Charleston’s scenery, people, events, and culinary delights. There’s a Firefly Tea, a Queen Victoria Tea, a Moulin Rouge Tea, and a Starry Starry Night Ball—all adding depth and decorum to the surrounding mystery. The mystery is solid and starts quickly with suspects that weave in and out of Charleston society. Theodosia is the perfect chameleon investigator, able to traverse social groups and get to the bottom of all the tangled clues. Also delightful is Theodosia’s physicality in investigations and the spooky locations she encounters; whether she’s chasing down a suspicious person through Charleston’s back alleys, trudging through the swampy ruins to pay a ransom, or engaging in a vehicle pursuit through narrow cobblestone streets, Theodosia is never one to back down. So, grab a cup of tea and sit down to enjoy Theodosia, Drayton, and Haley as they bustle around the tea shop and deliver yet another fun, fast-paced, entertaining, and elegant mystery. Recipes and tea time tips are included!